Skip to Content

Seafood Risotto Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Seafood Risottos

Have you ever been to a restaurant, looked at the menu, and wondered what kind of wine pairs best with seafood risotto?

If so, you’re not alone.

Wine pairing is an art form in itself and it can be difficult to know which bottle will bring out the flavors in your meal.

If you’re looking for a delicious way to elevate your next seafood risotto dish, then read on!

We’ve done all the research so that you don’t have to.

We promise that by the end of this blog post, you will feel like a pro when it comes to wine pairing.

So, what wine goes with seafood risotto?

The best wine to pair with seafood risotto is a Chardonnay. The creamy taste of the risotto pairs well with the light body and buttery notes of Chardonnay. Choose one with gentle oak aging, as it will bring out the flavor of the seafood even more.

Seafood Risotto
Credit: The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Why Consider Serving Wine With Seafood Risotto?

Seafood risotto is a delicious dish that’s great for special occasions, or simply enjoyed any night of the week!

But why should you consider pairing it with wine?

Well, seafood risotto is made of a rich combination of flavors.

Wine can enhance those flavors and bring out nuances in the dish that you may not have noticed before.

The right kind of wine also helps cut through the richness and balance out any acidic notes in the dish.

For instance, a white wine pairs well with lighter seafood dishes like shrimp or scallop risottos while a full-bodied red can complement richer dishes with ingredients like mussels or crab meat.

Rosé is often considered to be an excellent all-rounder when it comes to matching wines to different types of seafood risottos.

And aside from its flavor benefits, what could be better than sharing a bottle of good wine with friends over dinner?

The Best Red Wines For Seafood Risotto

Red Wine

Red wine and seafood risotto can be a wonderful pairing to enjoy.

Red wines are perfect for risottos made with shellfish or roasted vegetables, bringing out the flavor of these ingredients without overpowering them. The best red wines for seafood risotto include Pinot Noir, Dolcetto, and Barbera.

Pinot Noir is known for its light body and bright acidity that allows it to complement the flavors of creamy seafood dishes like risotto. It has notes of cherry, raspberry & cranberry and pairs perfectly with more delicate shrimp, scallop & fish-based recipes.

Dolcetto is a dry Italian red wine with supple tannins that pair beautifully with richer dishes such as lobster ravioli or mussel-stuffed zucchini boats. Its berry aromas make it a great accompaniment to earthy mushrooms or woodsy herbs like thyme and oregano in your dish.

Barbera is another popular Italian varietal that has an intense yet balanced structure perfect for bolder flavors like crab claws or smoked salmon in your seafood recipe’s broth base – its high acidity helps cut through heavier sauces while its medium body brings balance to the dish overall.

The Best White Wines For Seafood Risotto

White wine

White wines are the classic pairing for seafood risotto. The acidity and light fruitiness of most white wines make them perfect companions to the briny flavors of many types of seafood.

When it comes to white wine, look for something like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio from Italy or France. These crisp yet flavorful whites will pair well with just about any type of seafood risotto dish.

For something a bit more unusual, consider trying an off-dry Riesling from Germany or Austria – its sweetness will balance out the saltiness of the seafood in your dish, making for a truly delicious experience!

The Best Rosé Wines For Seafood Risotto

Rosé wine

For a refreshing seafood risotto, rosé wines are ideal. Rosé wines have bright acidity and pair well with light dishes like seafood. They also bring out the sweetness of the shrimp or scallops in a seafood risotto.

Look for dry, fruity options like Bandol, Châteauneuf-du Pape Rosé, Provence rosés, and Tavel. These often have notes of stone fruit and floral aromas that will complement the flavors in your risotto very nicely. As an added bonus these wines can all be served at a lower temperature which is perfect for serving during warm weather months!

Other Wines To Pair With Seafood Risotto

If you would like to add a bit of excitement to your seafood risotto, there are other wines that you can pair with it. Sparkling wine and champagne can make for a light, refreshing pairing that is great for outdoor summer gatherings.

You could also opt for a dry Chenin Blanc, as this type of light white wine has hints of citrusy sweetness and acidity that provide an interesting contrast to the rich creaminess of the seafood risotto.

For an unexpected spin on traditional pairings, consider saké or even beer – some people find that sake complements their seafood dishes well. A lager or pilsner can be an excellent choice if you prefer beer over wine – it adds crispness without overpowering the dish’s subtle flavors.

5 Tips For Picking A Wine

Seafood risotto is the perfect way to indulge in some of your favorite flavors. And what better way to enhance the taste than with a great wine pairing?

When picking out a wine for your seafood risotto, there are several things to consider. Here are five tips for choosing the best bottle:

  1. Match up body and complexity – Look for a wine that can match the body and complexity of your risotto dish, such as an unoaked white or light-bodied red.
  2. Consider flavor notes – Think about what type of flavors will complement the ingredients in your seafood risotto. You may want to look at wines that have similar tastes like sweet or earthy elements or those with refreshing acidity for balance.
  3. Go classic – Opting for traditional Italian wines like Pinot Grigio and Chianti can work wonders with a seafood risotto because they’re specifically designed to pair well with these types of dishes!
  4. Price point matters – Keep in mind what you’re willing to spend when selecting which bottle you’ll use; you don’t want it to break the bank!
  5. Do your research – It never hurts to do some digging into different types of wines before settling on one, especially if you’re not sure what would be best suited for this dish!

Seafood Risotto Wine Pairing: 3 Ways To Go About It

When it comes to picking the perfect wine for your seafood risotto, there are three main ways you can go about it.

  1. The first is to match the flavors in your dish with a specific type of wine; this involves choosing a wine based on its flavor profile, such as white wines that offer notes of citrus or red wines that boast berry and spice undertones.
  2. The second approach is to pick a complementary pairing, where you select different types of wine than what’s already in the dish, allowing those flavors to work together and create something new. For example, if your seafood risotto includes tomatoes or other acidic ingredients, you could pair it with an aromatic white like Riesling or Gewürztraminer.
  3. Finally, you may opt for an accentuating pairing where you look for a subtle contrast between the flavors in the food and those in the wine. This means selecting a matching dimension instead – either one that pairs well with all elements found in the dish or one that focuses on bringing out specific flavors more prominently. For instance, if your seafood risotto has creamy buttery notes then consider serving it with rich white wines such as Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc.

Serving Temperature And Glassware

Serving temperature and glassware matter just as much – if not more – than the actual wine you pick.

For red wines, they should be served at a slightly warmer temperature than whites, between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows them to open up and give off their complex flavors and aromas.

As for glassware, it’s important to choose one that flatters your wine of choice. Reds are usually served in large-bowled glasses with a wider opening that helps release their aroma while whites should be poured into smaller glasses with a narrower opening that keeps the aromas concentrated.

And for rosés?

Well, anything goes!

A classic white wine glass is ideal but the occasional flute can work too if it’s going with sparkling rosé or a light summery dish like risotto.

Conclusion

Picking the perfect wine to pair with a seafood risotto can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be! When selecting the right wine, keep in mind your personal preferences and the flavors of the risotto.

So, what wine pairs well with seafood risotto?

The best wine to pair with seafood risotto is Chardonnay. This light-bodied white wine has notes of butter, citrus and stone fruit that will perfectly complement the creamy texture and delicate flavors of the risotto. Other white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio can also work well.

Consider using one of the methods discussed above when pairing wines, such as matching flavor intensities, looking for complementary flavors, or contrasting tastes. Lastly, pay attention to serving temperature and glassware to ensure an ideal experience from start to finish!

Website | + posts

Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.